Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Common symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain. It is typically diagnosed based on symptoms and chest x-ray or CT scan. Treatment involves antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, and rest. Complications can include respiratory failure, lung abscesses, or sepsis. Prevention involves vaccination against influenza and streptococcus pneumoniae.

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What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumoniaisaninfectionof one orbothof the lungscausedbybacteria,viruses,or fungi. It is a serious
infection in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.
Lobar pneumonia affects one or more sections (lobes) of the lungs.
Bronchial pneumonia (also known as bronchopneumonia) affects patches throughout both lungs.
What Causes Pneumonia?
There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and they’re grouped by the cause. The main
types of pneumonia are:
Bacterial Pneumonia This type is caused by various bacteria. The most common is Streptococcus
pneumonia.Itusuallyoccurswhenthe bodyisweakenedinsome way,suchasby illness,poornutrition,
old age, or impaired immunity, and the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs. Bacterial
pneumonia can affect all ages, but you are at greater risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes, are
debilitated,have recentlyhadsurgery,have arespiratorydisease orviral infection, or have a weakened
immune system.
Viral PneumoniaThistype iscausedby variousviruses,including the flu (influenza), and is responsible
for about one-third of all pneumonia cases. You may be more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if you
have viral pneumonia.
Mycoplasma PneumoniaThistype has somewhatdifferentsymptomsandphysical signsand is referred
to as atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumonia. It generally causes a
mild, widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups.
Other Pneumonias There are other less common pneumonias that may be caused by other infections
including fungi.
Who Is At Risk For Pneumonia?
 Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the following groups are at the highest risk:
 Adults ages 65 and older
 Children younger than age 2
 People with certain medical conditions
 People that smoke
What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia?
The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include:
Bluish color to lips and fingernails
Confused mental state or delirium, especially in older people
Cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus
Fever
Heavy sweating
Loss of appetite
Low energy and extreme tiredness
Rapid breathing
Rapid pulse
Shaking chills
Sharp or stabbing chest pain that’s worse with deep breathing or coughing
Shortness of breath that gets worse with activity

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Early symptoms of viral pneumonia are:
The same as those of bacterial pneumonia, which may be followed by:
Headache
Increasing shortness of breath
Muscle pain
Weakness
Worsening of the cough
Severe cough that may produce mucus
How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually made based on your recent health history (such as surgery, a cold, or travel
exposures)andthe extentof the illness.Basedonthese factors,your healthcare provider may diagnose
pneumoniasimplyonathoroughhistoryandphysical exam.The followingtestsmaybe used to confirm
the diagnosis:
Chest X-Ray This test takes pictures of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
Blood Tests This testmaybe usedto see whetherinfectionispresentandif infection has spread to the
bloodstream (blood cultures). Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your
bloodstream.
Sputum Culture Thistestis done onthe material thatis coughedupfromthe lungsandintothe mouth.
It’s often used to see if there’s an infection in the lungs.
Pulse Oximetry An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A
small sensoristapedor clipped onto a finger. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in
the sensor. The test is painless and the red light does not get hot.
Chest CT Scan This imaging procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to
produce sharp, detailed horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows
detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are
more detailed than regular X-rays.
Bronchoscopy This is direct exam of the bronchi (the main airways of the lungs) using a flexible tube
(calledabronchoscope).Ithelpstoevaluate anddiagnoselungproblems,assessblockages,andtake out
samples of tissue and/or fluid for testing,
Pleural fluid culture. In thistest,a sample of a fluidsample is taken from the pleural space. This is the
space betweenthe lungsandchestwall.A long,thinneedle isputthroughthe skinbetweenthe ribsand
intothe pleural space.Fluidispulledintoasyringe attachedtothe needle.Itissentto the lab where it’s
tested to find out which bacteria is causing the pneumonia.
How is pneumonia treated?
Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time, pneumonia is treated at
home, but severe cases may be treated in the hospital. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia.

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Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral
pneumonias don’t have specific treatment. They usually get better on their own.
Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy, pain
medicine, fever control, and maybe cough-relief medicine if cough is severe.
Can pneumonia be prevented?
Check with your healthcare provider about getting immunizations. The flu is a common cause of
pneumonia.Because of that,gettingaflushoteveryyearcan helppreventboththe fluand pneumonia.
There isalso a pneumococcal vaccine.It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia.
Children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older should get this shot.
The pneumococcal shot is also recommended for all children and adults who are at increased risk of
pneumococcal disease due to other health conditions.
What are the complications of pneumonia?
Most people with pneumoniarespondwell to treatment, but pneumonia can be very serious and even
deadly. You are more likely to have complications if you are an older adult, a very young child, have a
weakenedimmune system, orhave aseriousmedical problem like diabetes or cirrhosis. Complications
may include:
 Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a severe form of respiratory failure.
 Lung abscesses. These are pockets of pus that form inside or around the lung. They may need to be
drained with surgery
 Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a breathing machine or ventilator.
 Sepsis. This is when the infection gets into the blood. It may lead to organ failure.
TREATMENT
Treatmentdependsonthe type of pneumoniayouhave.Antibioticsare usedfor bacterial pneumonia.It
may alsospeedrecoveryfrommycoplasmapneumoniaand some special cases. Most viral pneumonias
don’thave a specifictreatmentandjustgetbetterontheirown.Othertreatmentmayinclude a healthy
diet, more fluids, rest, oxygen therapy, and medicine for pain, cough, and fever control.